The Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and east through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, to northern and eastern Australia. The dove is also known by the names of Green Dove and Green-winged pigeon. The Common Emerald Dove is the state bird of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

It has a number of subspecies, with three existing in Australia, longirostris from the Kimberly, Western Australia to Cape York Peninsula, chrysochlora from Cape York Peninsula to southern New South Wales as well as Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, and natalis from Christmas Island.

This is a common species in rainforest and similar dense wet woodlands, farms, gardens, mangroves and coastal heaths. It builds a scant stick nest in a tree up to five metres and lays two cream-coloured eggs. Breeding tends to occur in Australia spring or early summer in southeastern Australia and late in the dry season in northern Australia.

Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. It often flies low between the patches of dense forest it prefers, but when disturbed will frequently walk away rather than fly. They are particularly good weavers when flying through forests. When flying they expose a buff underwing and a chestnut colour of their flight feathers.

The Common Emerald Dove is a stocky, medium-sized pigeon, typically 23 to 28 centimetres (10 to 11.2 inches) in length. The back and wings are bright emerald green. The flight feathers and tail are blackish, and broad black and white bars show on the lower back in flight. The head and underparts are dark vinous pink (in chrysochlora, more brown in longirostris), fading to greyish on the lower belly. The eyes are dark brown, the bill bright red and legs and feet rufous.

Caught this hawk on the rise after seizing a gopher in the shadow of the GG Bridge while running toward the cliff with my 100-400mm cocked and fired multiple shots on my old 60D to catch this shot. Very exciting to successfully chase one down finally.

Caught this hawk on the rise after seizing a gopher in the shadow of the GG Bridge while running toward the cliff with my 100-400mm cocked and fired multiple shots on my old 60D to catch this shot. Very exciting to successfully chase one down finally.

[/quote]As others have said, it's a horned grebe. It isn't a duck at all.[/quote]

Thanks - guess that is why I didn't find it. I am trying to learn more about birds all the time and enjoy bird photography. Here are a few others from this spring, including an Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, and a pheasant.

As others have said, it's a horned grebe. It isn't a duck at all.[/quote]

Thanks - guess that is why I didn't find it. I am trying to learn more about birds all the time and enjoy bird photography. Here are a few others from this spring, including an Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, and a pheasant.[/quote]

I love these context shots. The pheasant in particularly has great visual power.